Taconic Takes Sweep in Battle for First Place
GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. -- The Taconic bowling team Friday picked the right time to get hot.
After a slow start in the second game of its match against Pittsfield, Taconic caught fire in the last four frames -- collecting 15 strikes en route to a 923-797 win in the game that contributed to a 3-0 sweep of the match between the top two teams in the Berkshire County high schol league.
Mitchell McCann closed his game with five strikes in a row en route a 227 to lead the way.
Mya Duhamel had a turkey in frames seven through nine before closing with a spare and a strike for a 179.
Not a bad score for a game in which she left pins standing in four of the first six frames.
"The transition to the second game, for me personally, has always been hard, especially in this house," Duhamel said. "As you can see, it was hard for the team, too. But I'm glad in the end we all came together and stuck it out and got a win.
"The eighth frame through the 10th [of the second game] were some of the best that I've seen in a while, so that was nice. ... When our energy is up, we always bowl better, which is nice because this is a team sport. I don't want anyone to feel left out. When we bowl together, we always bowl better."
Duhamel rolled a 223 in Friday's first game, an exciting and highly competitive contest that Taconic took by a mere four pins, 956-952.
Andrew Robitaille led the way in that one.
He started his day with six straight strikes and ended up with a match-high 247, the best game by anyone in the league on Friday.
Pittsfield's Justin Doyle posted a 202 to help keep the Generals in the game.
After each team flirted with a 1,000-point game in the opener, both had trouble getting on track in Game 2, which saw the squads combined for 19 splits -- 14 for PHS alone.
Tanner White helped spark Taconic with a turkey in frames four, five and six on his way to a second-game score of 158. Hunter Golin just missed a 200-point game, settling for a 197.
Assured of at least a win in the match, Taconic kept its momentum going into the first of the best of three Baker format games, where teams of five alternate frames with each bowler throwing two frames apiece.
Taconic won the first Baker going away, 174-51.
The second, like the two-game series to start the match, was a struggle at the beginning. But Taconic rolled five strikes in a row starting with Golin in frame No. 5 to come from behind and win, 201-159.
"It's always nice to beat our rivals," Duhamel said. "But even if we didn't, I'm just glad we all bowled great, which is the point.
"But I'm glad we won."
Pittsfield was led by Ryan Russo, who rolled a 233 in the first game and a 394 series. Matt Dupuis rolled games of 181 and 187.
In Friday's other league match, Lee's Bella Kotek had the day's second best score and top score among the girls with a 244 as the Wildcats took a 3-0 win from Mount Everett.
Kotek also broke 200 in her other game to post a 447 series. Lee's Aaron Armstrong posted a 203. The Eagles were led by Wil Worth, who rolled a 159 in a 289 series.